What Dual Sport bike should I be on?

[badfishy69]

Im 32, and very big,6'1 315 lbs. Im looking for a good DS bike for riding to the woods , and all over the rugged backcountry. Any suggestions on what to buy? I have no preferance to newer or older bikes. Reliability is the most important thing to me,I go 20+ miles from main hiways regularly, and do not want to have to leave a broken down bike in the woods and walk out. Second it has to be able to still handle my weight. obviously a larger bike is probably my best bet. Any ideas would greatly help , ive ridden dirt bikes plenty, im no novice, a little power doesnt intimidate me. Thanks for any info.

[Kenneth_Moore]

Suzuki DL1000. 100hp, big and roomy, brick reliability, and a gazzillion aftermarket upgrades. What more do you need?

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by Kenneth_Moore

Suzuki DL1000. 100hp, big and roomy, brick reliability, and a gazzillion aftermarket upgrades. What more do you need?

Stop angling for a Sale! He's not gonna buy your bike..............

[acecycleins]

The Suzuki DR650, Honda XR650 work great and are cheap.
The Husky TE610, KTM makes a 690 that you can get DOT approved lighting for, and Husaberg is re-entering the US market with a FE650 Enduro you can convert like the KTM.

All in all- I would pick the Husky TE610. They are built like tanks.

If it's used go KTM or Suzuki.

[Kenneth_Moore]

Originally Posted by acecycleins

The Suzuki DR650, Honda XR650 work great and are cheap.
The Husky TE610, KTM makes a 690 that you can get DOT approved lighting for, and Husaberg is re-entering the US market with a FE650 Enduro you can convert like the KTM.

All in all- I would pick the Husky TE610. They are built like tanks.

If it's used go KTM or Suzuki.

He don't want no steekin 650! He needs 1000cc or more!

[mscuddy]

Get the big Honda, Kawasaki or Suzuki dual sports, reliable as bricks, handle decent and parts are everywhere. Do not heed the siren song to buy a Husqavarna, or other esoteric uripeein dual sport. When the shine wears off you're stuck with something that needs a $600.00 piston, and has the resale value of an '81 Yugo.

[acecycleins]

Originally Posted by mscuddy

Get the big Honda, Kawasaki or Suzuki dual sports, reliable as bricks, handle decent and parts are everywhere. Do not heed the siren song to buy a Husqavarna, or other esoteric uripeein dual sport. When the shine wears off you're stuck with something that needs a $600.00 piston, and has the resale value of an '81 Yugo.

Brutal- Don't like KTM?

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by mscuddy

When the shine wears off you're stuck with something that needs a $600.00 piston, and has the resale value of an '81 Yugo.

My cousin had one of those - when he went to trade it in, the Dealer offered him $600 NOT to.........

[seruzawa]

My younger brother is 6'3" weighs about 250 and rides a street legalized Honda XR650. Seems to fit him fine. I'm 6' even and I can barely get my heels on the ground when sitting on it. One of those should be fine, much as it pains me to recommend a Honda.

If you are doing actual for-real off road riding I would stick with the 2 air-cooled 650s... the Suzuki and the Honda. They are the lightest and least complex of the possibilities.

Remember - any bike that will get you there on the highway in comfort will really really suck off road.

[bbtowns]

We need some more info. I have a ton of DS bikes. Ken's recommendation of the DL1000 isn't bad if you're an experienced rider. But we need to know what kind of dirt you want to ride. Are you talking about knarly single track with whoops, logs, and sand? Are you talking about graded forest roads? Hare scrambles? You might find the 650 thumpers like the KLR, DR or XR will meet your needs with some suspension upgrades.